LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April
13-19, 2014, as Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 13-19, 2014, as Osteopathic Medi-
cine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Osteopathic Medicine Week, and to pay tribute to the osteo-
pathic physicians of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, There are currently more than 100,000 osteopathic physicians
(DOs) and osteopathic medical students in the United States; this figure
includes a growing number of women and minorities; and
WHEREAS, DOs have made tremendous accomplishments to the American
health care system since the osteopathic medical profession was founded
by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, in 1874; and
WHEREAS, DOs have treated U.S. presidents; olympic athletes; contrib-
uted to the fight against AIDS and the fight for civil rights; served on
nationwide health care panels; and
WHEREAS, DOs are fully-licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in
all speciality areas of medicine, including surgery; and
WHEREAS, Close to 10% of all patient visits in the United States are
to osteopathic physicians who provide comprehensive medical care,
including primary care, specialty care, preventative medicine, diagnosis
and the appropriate use of drugs, surgery, manipulation and hospital
referral, often practicing in rural and urban medically underserved
areas; and
WHEREAS, DOs are trained to consider the health for the whole person
and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients; and
WHEREAS, New York State has approximately 5,000 licensed osteopathic
physicians, who represent the fifth largest osteopathic physician popu-
lation in the country, and who are dedicated to improving the health of
their communities through education and awareness-based efforts, as well
as by delivering quality health services; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of New York State recognize the need for osteo-
pathic physicians who are committed to bringing attention to improving
the health of Americans, regardless of age, income level, or ethnicity;
and
WHEREAS, New York State has two college of osteopathic medicine, The
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) College of Osteopathic Medicine
in Old Westbury, and the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-New York,
in Harlem, both of which train students who enter primary care special-
ties in numbers well above the national average; and
WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians deserve acknowledgment for providing
high-quality, comprehensive care to New Yorkers across the state of New
York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 13-19, 2014, as
Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Osteopathic Medicine Week, in appreciation of
osteopathic physicians for their contributions to health care; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.